BALTDEFCOL leaders visited Czech National Defence University

On 1-3 February General Gundars Abols, the Commandant of the BALTDEFCOL and the Dean Dr. James Corum visited the Czech National Defence University in Brno, Czech Republic. The Rector of the Czech National Defence University, Brigadier General (ret.) Professor Rudolf Urban and faculty leaders met with the BALTDEFCOL representatives to discuss means by which the two military educational institutions can develop a deeper partnership.

BALTDEFCOL has worked closely with the Czech military since it was founded. The Czech Republic has sent four officers to the BALTDEFCOL and is invited to send more. Both military educational institutions have much in common and already work together as partner members of the Central European Forum for Military Education (CEFME)-an organization of several Central and Eastern European staff colleges. In the spirit of the CEFME, the BALTDEFCOL and Czech National Defence University are looking for ways to deepen their partnership and work more closely. In the times of current economic problems, it is even more urgent to look to ways to share resources and expertise.

A strong network of international connections is an integral part of the ethic of the BALTDEFCOL. Having officers from many countries among our faculty and student body ensures that different experience is brought into the classroom and makes sure that ideas are studied from several perspectives. This international participation in student body and faculty is something that gives the BALTDEFCOL an advantage over single nation institutions. Maintaining close connections with a highly regarded institution such as the Czech National Defence University is important in keeping the BALTDEFCOL up to date in understanding European and NATO defence trends.

Like the BALTDEFCOL, the Czech National Defence University also has a high quality staff college course and several courses for higher officers. Since both staff colleges have much in common, it makes a great deal of sense to work together in developing research partnerships, exchange faculty, share educational resources and look to future training exercises together.

Last week the leaders of the two schools has some fruitful discussion on developing a cooperation agreement that will lead to future research and faculty cooperation, and student and faculty exchanges in the next years.